5 Days Wildlife Gorilla Safari

5 Days Wildlife Gorilla Safari

Queen Elizabeth National Park created in 1952, lies in the Great Western Rift Valley. The park covers an area of 1978 km² and enjoys a stunning location on the rift valley floor between lakes George and Edward.

Lake George is connected to Lake Edward by the 32 km long Kazinga channel, which roughly bisects the park northern and southern sectors. To the north, Queen Elizabeth National Park is contiguous with Kibale National Park and with Kyambura Wildlife reserve to the north east. Kyambura was gazetted as a controlled hunting area and then promoted to the status of Game reserve in 1965.

This park is revered as one of the best places on the continent to see high concentrations of hippo. Other animals found in this park are chimpanzees, olive baboons, and tree climbing lions, giant forest hog, elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob and a variety of antelope. The park also boasts of a remarkable 612 species of birds making it a birders paradise.

Bwindi Forest National Park lies in south western Uganda, on the edge of the western Rift Valley (Albertine rift) and is shared by Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu districts. The park covers an area of over 330 sq kms with an altitude range of 1,160 metres to 2607 metres.

This park is home to over 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 200 species of trees and 120 species of mammals that include about 340 Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) which is roughly half of the estimated population of 720 left in the world; there are also chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Elephants (loxodanta Africana), Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius), Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) Black and white colobus (Colobus guereza), L’hoesti Monkey (Cercopithecus l’hoesti), the needle clawed Galago (Galagoinustus) and the Potto (Perodictus potto).

Set off from Kampala by 7:30 am and start the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. The drive is long but enjoyable with a stopover at the Equator and for lunch enroute. After lunch drive on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas.

Early breakfast then report at the UWA information office where you will be fully briefed on the do’s and don’ts while in the forest. With your packed lunch set off with your guide (s) for the adventure. The track may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours but from the time the first Gorilla or Gorilla family is spotted, you are only allowed to spend a maximum of one hour with them as they go about their activities.

The experience of observing these endangered gentle giants is a humbling and exciting adventure. Return to your camp/ lodge from where you will relive those special moments with friends over a drink.

After early breakfast, drive to Kyambura Gorge where you will partake in a thrilling Chimpanzee safari trek (subject to permit availability). This guided safari walk in search of Chimpanzees may also yield sightings of baboons, red tailed and Colobus monkeys.

In the afternoon take on a unique launch cruise along Kazinga Channel – one that joins Lakes George and Edward.

The launch cruise passes through presumably the highest concentration of hippo in Africa and other mammals are a common sight as they drink at the water’s edge.

Rise early and take on a morning safari game drive. Look out for lions, Elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, the comical warthogs, Antelopes and with luck the elusive Leopard could be spotted. Return to the lodge for late breakfast.

Check out and start the drive to start the drive to Kampala with a stopover for lunch enroute and other places of interest like souvenir selling points along the highway. Arrive Kampala in the evening where you will be dropped. End of Safari. Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch.

The costs given above for the five day safari include:

Ø Accommodation while on safari, meals (breakfast, lunch& dinner) while on safari,

Ø 1 soft drink per person per meal i.e. a soda or mineral water either at Lunch or Dinner,

Ø 1 gorilla permit per person,

Ø 1 chimpanzee permit per person,

Ø A launch cruise along Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park,

Ø Game drive and park entrance fees.

Ø The costs also cover a 4 x4 WD drive Vehicle with a pop up roof and plenty of leg room,

Ø Services of an English speaking driver/guide,

Ø Lots of fun in the African Sun

Ø Fuel plus all other activities while on the tour as will be detailed in your itinerary.